What is a Christian?
What is the Human Condition?
We start with the basic truth. God said that every human being is a sinner (Psalm 14:1-3; Psalm 53:3; Romans 3:23). He further said that for anyone to deny that one is a sinner is to accuse God of lying (I John 1:10). To sin is to disobey God or rebel against Him. The punishment is death (Genesis 2:17; Romans 6:23a). This death is not the one humans experience when the heart stops pumping the blood and the lungs stop breathing air. It is:- The absence of God's Holy Spirit in one's life (James 2:26; John 3:5)
- Spending eternity in hell (Rev 20:6).
God is a just God, and could not allow the sinner to go free without paying for his or her sin. He also knows that the sinner cannot pay for the sins. Therefore, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to die the death for the sinner (John 3:16-17). Death on the cross is meant for sinners (Deuteronomy 21:23; Galatians 3:13).
By Grace and Faith become a Christian
The first step in becoming a Christian is to 1) accept God's verdict and acknowledge that one is a sinner. The second step is to 2) confess one's sin to God, who already knows them. The third step is to 3) repent. This means that one stops doing the wrong thing and starts doing the right thing. The fourth step is to 4) pray and request God's forgiveness. Finally, accept in faith that:
- Jesus took your place on the cross (II Corinthians 5:21).
- He carried your load of sin to the cross (II Chronicles 7:14; Colossians 2:13-14; Ephesians. 2:8,9).
- He died in your place (1 Peter 2:24). You believe that Jesus Christ has saved you from hell (Romans 6:23).
Who is this Jesus Christ? He is God, the Son, the second Person of the Trinity. Isaiah said, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." He is also the Creator. Therefore, the Bible says, "For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him."
Who is a Christian?
A friend and a brother of Jesus Christ (John 20:17; John 15:15).
A Christian is one who acknowledges the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The Bible summarizes it in Romans 10:9 & 10: "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."
A Christian is a sinner whose sins Jesus Christ forgave through His substitutionary death and work on the cross; and also adopted him into the family of God who has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and lives to serve Him (Acts 16:31; John 19:30; John 1:12).